Yough Pioneer Tours

Young Pioneer Tours are the leading budget and adventure travel operator in the DPRK (North Korea). Browse through our extensive North Korean group tour schedule to find a group tour that best suits you and your budget.

Got extra time before or after your North Korean group tour? Then why not join our tour extensions in North Korea or China? Check out our great links, or get in touch and let us plan your extension for you.

Our North Korea independent tours are suitable for solo travellers, families, couples, friends, or for people who simply can’t find group tour dates to match. Our tours are very flexible in terms of itinerary, interests and we can cater to your budget too!

Young Pioneer Tours are the leading budget adventure travel company to off the wall, and off the beaten track destinations. Check out our International Group Tours and book your next adventure of a lifetime

Young Pioneer Tours organize a number of Group and independent trips throughout the old Soviet Union, including Chernobyl, Chechnya, Magadan, Tiraspol, and much more. If you are interested in traveling through the old USSR, YPT are your people.

Young Pioneer Tours were the FIRST company to pioneer trips to the Unrecognised Countries of Transnistria, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karakabh, and South Ossetia, and we now offer a number of Group Tours, and independent packages.

Join one of our Worldwide Adventures to places as diverse as Cuba, The Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, or Antarctica, with off the wall “places your mother would rather you stayed away from” being added all the time.

Vegan Food in North Korea

If you’re like me, the prospect of going abroad always holds a bit of a weight in the back of your mind as you worry about what you’re going to be able to eat over there. And so begins the research into what the main diet is of the country, what the attitudes are towards being vegan, and if they’re going to understand English – after which the frantic buying and packing of various snacks begins.

So, how do you begin when you’re planning your trip to North Korea; a country visited by few foreigners, and even fewer vegans? North Korea may not be renowned for its vegan-friendly cuisine, and you definitely won’t be able to use Happy Cow there (not that anything would be listed on it anyway). However, fear not!

YPT has you covered.

Read this short guide to being vegan in North Korea, and you’ll feel ready and set to depart on your trip!

North Korean Cuisine

North Korea is known to lay on a grand spread of meat and fish. And dog is not an unusual addition to the table. A typical meal will often involve a variety of small dishes all shared by everyone. Lots of Asian style things such as noodle soups and stir-fries, with general spicy and oily vibes. However, amongst this, you’ll also find that a valuable part of every meal is vegetables and tofu in all shapes and sizes!

Despite the heavy meat and fish consumption, there is a number of things you’ll be able to eat, and will actually be really pleasantly surprised about!

On Tour

On tour, all your meals will be included, and all of the restaurants & meals already planned and decided for when you get into the country. Make sure to let your tour guide know by contacting them here. Then, leave the rest to them!

Whatever your dietary requirement, YPT will be able to make sure you end every day with a happy tummy!

You don’t need to worry about any language barriers since all the guides can communicate for you and make sure strict dietary requirements are being adhered to. Because meals and places to eat are already planned ahead, you don’t really get a chance to be fussy. There’s always a wide variety of things to choose from, some of which you may have to leave since you’ve filled up on everything else! If by some chance you do feel yourself wanting more, let your guide know and we can make sure to prepare some extra stuff or get extras of a certain dish for the table!

With most meals, there’s usually tofu, bean sprouts, carrots, pak choi, and various potato dishes. If we go for Korean hotpot there’s also a non-meat non-egg option, and at barbecue restaurants there’s a lot of vegetable options there too! Other dishes include Pyongyang cold noodles and the tasty Bibimbap.

You should also be aware that most meals will be shared with everyone. You’ll be sitting on a table with the rest of the tour group who will most likely be tucking into all kinds of meat and fish. This will most likely be constantly passed around the table. It’s important to be prepared for this, and be tolerant! It’s their holiday too 🙂

Check out some of the tasty foods below that will certainly get your vegan taste-buds tingling!

Get your vegan taste-buds tingling!

A Note on Kimchi

Alas, Kimchi may not be one of those things you’ll be able to enjoy… This tasty fermented cabbage side-dish is sweeter, and less spicy than its South Korean counterpart and can be found everywhere. And is eaten with every meal. Seriously. Kimchi galore. This would be great if we could eat it. Unfortunately, it’s usually made with fish paste.
So now you’re left with the decision of how strict you’re wanting to be. I know many vegans who would gasp at the fact that I’m even suggesting the fact that it’s possibly okay to eat something that contains fish. Of course, a vegan diet allows strictly no fish. Everyone understands this. And not only does it not allow fish – but you probably don’t want to be eating anything containing fish. But it’s good to know the facts and you can make your own judgments from here.

Try this dish because you’re curious about a traditional local dish, or eat it during your time in North Korea if you feel like you’re very limited. Or stay clear of it.

Attitudes

Just as in any foreign country where veganism hasn’t yet made its debut, Koreans will be very interested as to why you don’t eat meat. It’s important to be respectful of their culture. Understanding that meat is a big part of it, but at the same time explaining your views and having a good debate with them is always a good start. You may be the first vegan they’ve ever met, and they may not have considered any of your beliefs before. Just don’t expect too much in return – it’s still a very alien concept to them!

It’s also important to note that Korea is a developing country. If there is a mix-up or you’re unsure whether something is vegan or not, refusing or leaving food because of a dietary choice is up to you. However, do make sure that you’re polite about this and don’t make it into a big deal.

Prepare

With a wide variety of things on the menu, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about bringing a lot of things with you. If you’re taking sleeper trains, bringing snacks and various foods is an absolute must. But in the DPRK you’ll be kept well fed! You may wish to bring some snacks with you for a bit of added nutrition/variation in your diet, especially if you’re coming on tour for a long time. Breakfast bars, nuts and seeds to nibble on during the day, and chocolate (of course) are all staples I like to take with me. Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to take up your entire luggage allowance. Just a few bits and bobs will do, and you might not even need them.

Thinking about coming on tour with us, but still unsure about eating over there?

Young Pioneer Tours are the leading budget and adventure travel operator in the DPRK (North Korea). Browse through our extensive North Korean group tour schedule to find a group tour that best suits you and your budget.

Got extra time before or after your North Korean group tour? Then why not join our tour extensions in North Korea or China? Check out our great links, or get in touch and let us plan your extension for you.

Our North Korea independent tours are suitable for solo travellers, families, couples, friends, or for people who simply can’t find group tour dates to match. Our tours are very flexible in terms of itinerary, interests and we can cater to your budget too!

Young Pioneer Tours are the leading budget adventure travel company to off the wall, and off the beaten track destinations. Check out our International Group Tours and book your next adventure of a lifetime

Young Pioneer Tours organize a number of Group and independent trips throughout the old Soviet Union, including Chernobyl, Chechnya, Magadan, Tiraspol, and much more. If you are interested in traveling through the old USSR, YPT are your people.

Young Pioneer Tours were the FIRST company to pioneer trips to the Unrecognised Countries of Transnistria, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karakabh, and South Ossetia, and we now offer a number of Group Tours, and independent packages.

Join one of our Worldwide Adventures to places as diverse as Cuba, The Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, or Antarctica, with off the wall “places your mother would rather you stayed away from” being added all the time.